Shanghai Is the World's Largest City.

China is known for its crowds, and Shanghai is potentially the best example of this. Shanghai boasts a city proper population of 24 million people as of 2014 and is continually on the rise. Shanghai's many districts and extensive metro service are necessary to keep this thriving city running each day.

When the Chinese government set out to make Shanghai the New York of Asia, they certainly took the motto of "city that never sleeps" to heart. Not only is Shanghai the most populated city in all of China, it tops the list of world cities by population within an administrative area (city proper), and comes third in the world in terms of commuter zone population.

Shanghai is famous for its iconic skyline. While the skyscrapers make for interesting viewing in the daylight, nothing beats a stroll down the Bund at night along the Huangpu River. This area is also well known for its nightlife and features many bars and nightclubs.

The French Concession on the same side of the river is also a popular place to go for trendy restaurants, dancing, and nightlife.

The best time to visit Shanghai is in the spring and autumn. Summers have temperatures in the 100 range (32+ °C) along with high humidity levels. Winter temperatures hover around freezing and it's damp.

The spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and cleaner air, which are ideal travel conditions in China. Visiting in the spring means prime viewing of Shanghai's many flower gardens and green spaces, which offer a brief respite from the built up feel of the city itself. Autumn offers mild temperatures with less humidity and rainfall to impede your excursions.

Of course, when traveling in China be sure to consult the calendar of national holidays to ensure your time is well spent.

Shanghai Shopping — Top Places to Shop for Souvenirs

Shanghai is one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Anything you can imagine is available for purchase here.

The main shopping streets, Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road, offer a plethora of international brand names. If fashion is not your interest, try one of Shanghai's numerous flea markets beneath Shanghai's magnificent shopping malls, department stores and boutiques.

The outdoor bazaar at Yuyuan Garden sells various souvenirs, arts and crafts; the Cultural Street Market on Fuzhou Road and the clothing street market on Shimen Road are traditional open-air Chinese markets.

When the festive season is upon us see Christmas Shopping in Shanghai and Christmas in Shanghai for more things to see and do in the build up to and celebration of Christmastime.

Top Shopping Areas Any Shopaholic Will Love

The Bund 外滩

The night view of the Bund

The gentrification of Shanghai's iconic riverfront Bund has seen luxury brands such as Giorgio Armani at No. 3 on the Bund, Dolce & Gabbana at No. 6, and Cartier, Patek Philippe, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Boucheron at No. 18. All have occupied former colonial banking headquarters buildings.

Blessed with a beautiful view of the Huangpu River, this area is very attractive for shoppers. 

Shanghai Boutique Shops in the French Concession 法租界

It is said that the charm of Shanghai lies in the old streets and neighborhoods that make up the former French Concession, an area of Shanghai once designated for the French colonialists.

Today it consists of Luwan and Xuhui Districts. It is a great area to explore, from old European buildings in shady avenues to cafes and restaurants, and the upmarket shopping area of Huaihu Road. You will find fashionable boutiques selling everything from designer handbags to pricy silks.

Huaihai Road Market 淮海市场

Shanghai Boutique Shops in the French Concession 法租界

It is said that the charm of Shanghai lies in the old streets and neighborhoods that make up the former French Concession, an area of Shanghai once designated for the French colonialists.

Today it consists of Luwan and Xuhui Districts. It is a great area to explore, from old European buildings in shady avenues to cafes and restaurants, and the upmarket shopping area of Huaihu Road. You will find fashionable boutiques selling everything from designer handbags to pricy silks.

Huaihai Road Market 淮海市场

Huaihai Road is a bustling commercial street and one of the busiest shopping areas in Shanghai.

It sells clothing of every kind and is the epitome of Shanghai's modern history, a showcase of its prosperity and the latest fashions. Hundreds of shops display a myriad of styles, including Western and international name brands.

Nanjing East Road 南京东路

Click for more on Nanjing Road

Nanjing East Road is a well-known shopping area that offers a dizzying array of items. There are more than 600 shops offering anything a shopper could want.

Stretching more than three miles starting at Shanghai’s Center, this pedestrian street is more than just a shopping street; it has also become an area for locals and visitors to experience the culture of modern Shanghai. The area is particularly bright and fun in the evenings. 

Nanjing West Road 南京西路

Nanjing West Road is said to be the first shopping street in China. It is lined with some of the best Shanghai shopping malls brimming with luxury brands like Dior, Chanel, Armani, Prada and Calvin Klein. Here, you can enjoy a combination of shopping, relaxation, and entertainment.

Taikang Road 泰康路

Taikang Road is an old Shanghai-style lane combining the arts and commerce between Ruijin Second Road (瑞金二路) and South Chongqing Road (重庆南路), near Ruijin Hospital.

This street has a culture all of its own with art studios and original boutiques providing unique shopping opportunities.

Tianzifang is a famous lane running off Taikang Road. Refurbished abandoned factories and warehouses have turned this area into an art precinct. A coffee shop culture has developed and newlyweds use the area for photos. There is even graffiti art on the walls, which is unusual for China. It is truly a place where you can sit down to relax and watch the world go by.

Xintiandi Lanes 新天地

Shopping at Xintiandi

Xintiandi is one of the busiest urban tourist attractions and is imbued with the city's historical and cultural legacies.

Located in the heart of the city, Xintiandi is a trendy cultural and entertainment center built to reflect a combination of Shikumen and modern architecture.

The Shikumen building was created by converting residential blocks into a multifunctional dining, retail and entertainment center with many restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and bars of international standard.

Shanghai Yatai Clothing and Gifts Market 上海亚太服饰礼品市场

Shanghai Yatai Clothing and Gifts Market is one of the largest subway markets in Shanghai.

Covering an area of 19,022 square meters (4.7 acres), there are about 500 shops selling various products like clothing, accessories, fabrics, suitcases, hats, shoes, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Quality is not very good, but prices are low. Bargain hard there.

There are also tailor shops where you can get tailor-made clothes.

Sex

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to sex: figuring out if you’re ready, learning about orgasms, protecting yourself from pregnancy and STDs, how to know if someone wants to have sex with you, and much more. Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s sex?

People define "sex" in different ways. Some people believe that it only counts as sex if a penis goes into a vagina, but this isn't true for everybody. Different types of sex include:

• Vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse)

• Oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact)

• Anal sex (penis-in-butt intercourse)

  • Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital contact)

  • Dry humping or genital rubbing

  • Masturbation (touching yourself)

• Whatever sex means to you, being sexual with another person comes with a lot of responsibility. Before you have sex, think about what things you feel comfortable doing, ask what the other person feels comfortable doing, and think about any risks involved — like STDs or pregnancy — and how to help prevent them.

• It's just as important to think about what you DON'T feel comfortable doing — and then talk about it with your partner. And if you're in the middle of doing something that you thought you wanted to do but change your mind, that's OK, too. You can stop any time you want.

  If you're going to have vaginal, oral, or anal sex, talk with your partner about how you'll help protect each other from STDs

  If you're having vaginal sex, it's also important to use birth control if you don't want to get pregnant.

  What’s oral sex?

  Going down. Eating out. Blow job. These are all names for oral sex — using your mouth to stimulate another person's genitals.

  Some people like oral sex, and others don't. Some people like giving oral sex but don't like getting it. Some like getting it but not giving it. All of this is totally fine and normal — it's up to you to decide what you're comfortable with, and let your partner know.

  You can't get pregnant from oral sex, but you can get an STD if you don’t protect yourself. Although it's less likely you'll get an STD from oral sex than from unprotected vaginal or anal sex, safer is always better. Use a condom to cover the penis, or a Sheer Glyde dam, cut-open condom, or plastic wrap to cover the vulva or anus to help prevent STDs.

  What’s anal sex?

  Anal sex means penis-in-anus (butt) intercourse. Some people enjoy anal sex, and some people don't like it at all. Either way is perfectly fine. If you don't like it or don't want to try it, it’s not ok for someone to pressure you into it. Sex should feel good and be comfortable for both of you.

  Anal sex can hurt if you're not relaxed and don't use lubricant. The anus doesn't make it’s own lubrication like the vagina does, so using lube helps the penis (or a sex toy) go in the anus easier and keeps the condom from breaking.

  Don't use anything with oil in it, like Vaseline, lotion, or baby oil. Oil-based lubes can weaken a condom and make it more likely to break. You can get safe lubricants (water or silicone based) in the condom aisle at drug and grocery stores.

  Listen to your body. If anal sex (or any sex) hurts, stop doing it. Sex that's painful or uncomfortable shouldn’t continue and your partner should respect that.

  You can't get pregnant from anal sex. But there's a bigger chance of getting STDs, including HIV, from unprotected anal sex (without a condom). So it's important to always use condoms AND lube to lower your chances of getting an STD.

  What’s vaginal sex?

  Vaginal sex is when a penis goes inside a vagina. Some people really enjoy vaginal sex, and some people don’t. Some people with a vulva/clitoris orgasm from vaginal sex alone, and some people don’t. Just like all kinds of sex, everyone has different things they like and don’t like — and that’s ok. Let your partner know what feels good to you.

  You can get pregnant and pass STDs from unprotected vaginal sex. But there are a lot of different birth control methods that help prevent pregnancy. Just like with oral and anal sex, condoms can help prevent STDs.  

  What’s an orgasm?

  An orgasm is the release of tension that can happen during sex or masturbation. It’s often intense and feels really good. Having an orgasm is sometimes called coming/cumming or climaxing.

  Before and during an orgasm, you might notice changes to your body like:

  • your face and chest become warm and red

  • your heart beats faster

  • muscle spasms in your genitals

  • a pleasurable feeling in your genitals or even across your whole body

  During an orgasm, the penis squirts a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of semen, a white liquid that contains sperm and other fluids. This is called ejaculation. It’s possible to have an orgasm without ejaculating or to ejaculate without an orgasm, but they usually happen together.

  It’s also possible for fluid to squirt out of the vulva before or during an orgasm — this is sometimes called female ejaculation. This fluid isn’t pee. Female ejaculation is less common than ejaculation out o